Renault to launch a compact MPV in India

The MPV market in India may be shrinking but Renault aren’t giving up. A recently revealed slide (part of the manufacturer’s ‘Drive the Future’ mid-term plan from 2017 to 2022) indicates a compact MPV lined up for our market, though no date is given. The silhouette shows the Dacia Dokker, essentially a shortened Lodgy that’s sold in a few international markets.

However our sources tell us the vehicle (code RBC) will be an all new MPV specifically developed for India and based on the low cost CMF-A platform that also underpins the Kwid. A source in know of the companys plans said “It has to be an all new vehicle as we have tried the route of modifying an existing one but had little success” hinting at the GO Plus.

The MPV will have three rows of seats with seating for seven and our sources also tell us that it will sit below the current best seller Ertiga. The company is quite bullish on the achieving Kwid like success as unlike the vans in that price bracket, Renault’s MPV will have a prominent nose structure lending it a better image and acceptability in our market. The nose structure is important as the new vehicle will also need to pass the stringent crash norms which would be difficult with a van like flat front.

The MPV segment in India has proved to be a tough market to succeed in; sales are shrinking and most manufacturers have either discontinued their models or have dropped plans to introduce new ones. Renault too have had little success with their Lodgy MPV that currently only sells about 400 units per month but the company believes there is still potential in the segment.